stages, yes. The funny thing is, you know when you have made it through to pass to another stage.

"The emanations of the Self-willed ego bother Pistis Sophia. However, these emanations cease a little when she passes into a superior level of the Being. Every time the Initiate passes through a new revaulation of the Being, the attacks of the tenebrous ones always cease for a while in order for the attacks to later restart into new activity. Nevertheless, in each battle, Pistis Sophia reiterates the repentance one time after another."